This morning's theme in yoga was that the earth is to the hips as the heart is to the mind, that you let your hips rest into the grounding of the earth and let your mind rest into the grounding of the heart - and from there the opening happens. Or as Ulrika said last Sunday, evolution happens, on its own, without forcing.
So for the most solid handstand I have ever felt, what was required this morning was that profound resting into the focal point of the heart, pouring my entire focus into it. Then came the straight, up-and-down power of the alignment - bam! I felt strength like I never have before in the pose, ease amidst the focus, and wow - super bonus! - solidity.
I don't remember having a single thought at all while I was upside down. I can only remember the sight of my hands and the floor between my hands, and the happy feeling of being totally lined up.
As usual, the physical practice is only the beginning. That happy feeling of being physically lined up is the same feeling I want all the time - especially off the mat. Especially at work. Especially when things or people feel challenging. If I rest into the heart at those times, hips into the earth, what evolution might be possible?
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Pulling in to the midline
In reviewing 2007 and thinking about 2008, what occurred to me repeatedly was that this year is for me The Year of Balance. I worked really hard in a number of areas in 2007, invested in myself as was consistent with last year's theme (The Year of Me) -- 6 months of coaching, 4 months of yoga immersion -- took hardly any vacation, no vacation with Joe, fried myself at work. Came November, we went to see the CPA and I left with the question, "how much is enough?"
As in, how much money? how much work? Ye olde balance question.
What's so cool -- I think -- is that I get to explore the balance question in the physical arena as well, through yoga. This year now has a theme, and has a pinnacle pose that I'm working toward: Scorpion. In the same way you build each practice toward one pose, opening and preparing for that pose, this year's practice as a whole builds toward Scorpion.
The thing to remember about balance is that it comes from inside and comes from intention. I can't sit around and wait for external factors to line up perfectly so that I can "achieve" balance. Instead, I need to pull in to the midline -- physical and otherwise - to create the balance that radiates out and I can stand in.
That's way more than just finding a new job!
If I don't hit Scorpion in December, that's OK, too. Practicing balance in this concerted way is enough!
As in, how much money? how much work? Ye olde balance question.
What's so cool -- I think -- is that I get to explore the balance question in the physical arena as well, through yoga. This year now has a theme, and has a pinnacle pose that I'm working toward: Scorpion. In the same way you build each practice toward one pose, opening and preparing for that pose, this year's practice as a whole builds toward Scorpion.
The thing to remember about balance is that it comes from inside and comes from intention. I can't sit around and wait for external factors to line up perfectly so that I can "achieve" balance. Instead, I need to pull in to the midline -- physical and otherwise - to create the balance that radiates out and I can stand in.
That's way more than just finding a new job!
If I don't hit Scorpion in December, that's OK, too. Practicing balance in this concerted way is enough!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Beginnings: two funny things about seeing
In observing the actions and words of a particularly negative friend earlier this year, it struck me that You See What You Are -- meaning that your internal state determines how you see. Starting from a positive place, good attitude, optimistic expectations is not only more rewarding on its own, but surely makes for a better experience, even when things suck. Things will inevitably suck sometimes, but why start there?
Of course, this is just another reinforcement of the 3 A's of Anusara Yoga. Attitude comes first.
The other funny thing about seeing that struck me in January 08 is that The More You Look, the More You See. I'm obsessed with this one actually. I never really saw birds until I started bird-watching. Now I see them everywhere, in astounding variety, every day. And it isn't just birds. The same is true of coyotes, otters, bats. This morning, in fact, there was a coyote directly across the street from me when I came out to walk my dog in the early hours. I do think it's unlikely that there's been some boom in animals in my area across all species. I think it's more likely that once the intention is there, then boom - you're seeing because you're looking.
This second funny thing about seeing reinforces the first. Having my eyes open and having this observatory state of mind, then feeling the sheer delight of seeing whatever creature is there, takes me outside me, broadens my inner space, so that I am genuinely happier and shine that out. I am happier, so I see happier.
Of course, this is just another reinforcement of the 3 A's of Anusara Yoga. Attitude comes first.
The other funny thing about seeing that struck me in January 08 is that The More You Look, the More You See. I'm obsessed with this one actually. I never really saw birds until I started bird-watching. Now I see them everywhere, in astounding variety, every day. And it isn't just birds. The same is true of coyotes, otters, bats. This morning, in fact, there was a coyote directly across the street from me when I came out to walk my dog in the early hours. I do think it's unlikely that there's been some boom in animals in my area across all species. I think it's more likely that once the intention is there, then boom - you're seeing because you're looking.
This second funny thing about seeing reinforces the first. Having my eyes open and having this observatory state of mind, then feeling the sheer delight of seeing whatever creature is there, takes me outside me, broadens my inner space, so that I am genuinely happier and shine that out. I am happier, so I see happier.
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